I can’t believe how long it has been since I put one of these together. This year has been kind of a jumble of amazing things and not-so-great things that have been keeping me from Blogging on a regular basis. I hope to fix that in 2017 but in the meantime, I wanted to share my newest playlist that this past weekend earned me lots of shouts of “woot!” and “hell yeah!”

I hope you like the selections listed here and hope one or two may wind up on your iPod soon! Let me know what you think in the comments below. Also—be sure to leave a few of your favorite workout song suggestions as well.

Wicked Game (featuring Anna Naklab):Parra for Cuva

This song was suggested by one of my favorite students (a front-row achiever who has been a regular of mine for over 6 years now!) She heard randomly on either Pandora or Spotify and thought it would be perfect as a warmup tune and darn it– she picked a good one!

I love the dreamy vocals and steady beat.

All the Small Things: blink-182

The video always cracked me up as it spoofed on boy bands of the day though it turns out to be far more of a pop song than a rock one if you ask me.

Fantastic Voyage:Coolio

I really prefer the mix I have from an old MTV compilation CD but I gave it away in a rare “Marie Kondo-inspired” fit of tidiness. The “real” version is fine and gets people in a fun, 90s mood.

Jingo:Santana

This is one of my favorite “go-to” songs for running drills as the percussion beat and searing guitars are impossible to resist. You hear Jingo and you want to move faster and longer.

Hallelujah:The Happy Mondays

I have never heard of this band until viewing the film 24 Hour Party People and fell in love with the music and culture of 80s/90s Britain. This is a longer climb (over 6 minutes) and the beat is perfect for getting people in the mood to load resistance and WORK!

In Da Club:50 Cent

This is one of those tunes that makes everyone in the room bob their heads to the beat of the music. Its tres adorable to watch!

Machinehead: Bush

There are times when I need something that SCREAMS 90s rock and Bush always fits that bill.

Welcome to Your Life:Grouplove

To keep myself motivated and upbeat in 2017 my plan is to include songs with a positive message which is what I assume is going on here. If you decide to play in your classes be aware that the volume makes BIG changes during the chorus meaning it gets VERY loud then.

The Pit: Silversun Pickups

I love me some Silervsun Pickups for sprints and this song does the job very nicely.

Bootylicious:Destiny’s Child

Recently I was getting my bi-weekly pedicure (because I am super fancy like that) when this song came over the headphones of the big, muscular dude sitting next to me (true story!) It made me smile to hear it when he turned to me and said “You have to love Beyoncé and Stevie (Nicks) together in a song!” He is my spirit animal.

24K Magic:Bruno Mars

While not his best work, this tune is fun and bouncy which is all most things need to be to make me happy. Truth!

Bohemian Like You:The Dandy Warhols

(See above about my occasional need for 90s rock)

Madness:Muse

One of my other favorite regulars shows up every Monday and Friday morning wearing pajamas OVER his workout clothes and he loves Muse—so here they are!

That’s it for me this time. What are your new favorite tunes you think I should check out?

I like Madonna fine. She’s great and is far braver and more hardworking than I am for sure. However, I get in trouble sometimes with my friends who are Madge super fans when I explain that some of her music is just so damn stinky. (Remember True Blue or the dreadful remake of American Pie? No. Thank You.)

I put Madonna’s music into my personal “Law of the Thirds” (The Doors and The Red Hot Chili Peppers are also in this category for me.)

The Madonna songs I hate drive me insane but her top work (Like a Prayer, Take a Bow, Music and in particular Ray of Light bring indescribable joy into my life. Her high efforts are so damn amazing that I wanted to start of a playlist with my favorite version of my favorite song by Madonna to prove I am not a hater. (Really!)

The rest are a mixture of older and new tunes that make a perfect interval workout playlist (in my not so humble opinion.)

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always. So be sure to post them in the comments below!

Thanks!

Ray of Light:Madonna

If you do not own the William Orbit Liquid mix of this song—than get it right now and play on high volume. It will rock your world completely!

Mother Mary: The Foxboro Hottubs

Not familiar with Green Day’s “garage band side project?” Well now is the perfect time to check out this video and tell me what you think. I like that it is high energy and feels very madcap.

Get the Party Started:P!nk

Linda Perry (of 4 Non Blondes fame) is one of the top songwriters and record producers in the business and she wrote this fun tune for P!nk.

Ship to Wreck:Florence + The Machine

This new song by Florence + The Machine is my new favorite for speed drills and in my regular life as well. It cooks!

Connected: Stereo MCs

This British band wrote some fun dance tunes back in the early 90s and this one in particular is my favorite when I want to use a heavy resistance climb.

Walk:Foo Fighters

I love me some Foos in my workouts and this song makes me want to workout harder and then get weepy afterwards at the same time. Pay attention to the lyrics here because they will help you get overcome any fears you may be dealing with in your life.

Hollaback Girl:Gwen Stefani

The “dirty’ version is more fun to play out loud in class but I will leave that decision up to you.

Firestarter:The Prodigy

Some people are scared off by The Prodigy’s look but I have to say when I put this on for sprints my students just book it on their bikes.

Monkey Tree: Mother Mother

This song is from a Canadian indie band because y’all know how much I love my Canadians!

Crabbuckit: K-Os

Speaking of Canadians–my favorite Canuck Hip Hop artist is K-Os and this is his best song ever.

Love Runs Out:OneRepublic

Love, love, love playing this in my classes. People just bop their heads to the music which amuses me greatly.

Ring of Fire:Social Distortion

My favorite cover of a Johnny Cash song by one of the most underrated rock bands of all time. Period.

The Drugs Don’t Work:The Verve

I love ending a class with a mellow rock ballad and this is 90s songwriting at its finest.

This week’s playlist features a variety of beats and genres that will get your heart pumping and help motivate you to work harder, run faster and spin a little longer. (Or just get out of your own head and get your butt moving!)

Do me a favor? Let me know what you think and please tell me what is on your workout playlist these days.

First up…

Unbelievers:Vampire Weekend

I don’t always agree with rock critics on what I “should” love but this is one of those rare Brooklyn bands that are actually as good as their press indicates. (Is that throwing shade? I don’t mean to!)

Let’s Fall in Love:Mother Mother

This comes from a Canadian group that I am rather fond of and think should get famous here in the States right away. (The video is a little disturbing to some people so be warned there is a message about gender violence going on.)

My Body:Young the Giant

I admit to not being too familiar with Young the Giant but I love this song and think it sounds great when played really loud during class.

Locked out of Heaven: Bruno Mars

Whenever I play this in class my students start to bop their heads to the beat. It’s so damn adorable.

Weapon of Choice: Fatboy Slim

A good song that has the MOST amazing video ever attached to it as well—big win for all!

Butterfly:Crazy Town

I feel terrible the lead singer Shifty Shellshock has had his troubles (and especially having them exploited by the fame vampire Dr. Drew) and I hope he gets another chance to come up with a cool single.

Synthetica: Metric

One of my favorite bands is almost always on my playlists. Because they rock so damn hard!

Walk Away: James Gang

It is absolutely worth going to see The Eagles because you have the chance to hear a cool Joe Walsh tune or two. (Like this one!)

Music: Madonna

I always thought this video was trashy (even with a hilarious Sacha Baron Cohen playing da Ali G.) but I still dig doing sprints to this one from Madonna.

Crabbuckit: K-Os

This is just a really fun song, that’s it.

Seven Nation Army:The White Stripes

Jack White is one nutty dude but I am starting to find him attractive. Hmm…

Stronger:Kanye West

Okay, yes—this guy has an ego the size of New Jersey and is childish. But he has some good grooves in him and this song makes me want to work out harder.

Wish You Were Here:Radiohead

One of my favorite songs of all time and this cover is pretty damn terrific.

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

I have two new online stations that have been rocking my world lately and helping me add to my playlists. Here they are:

WLIR online plays an amazing selection of alternative music from the last 30 years. Everything from the B-52s to Lorde to Depeche Mode. Now, since this is a free online station they get a little too crowded sometimes and you can’t log on. But if you, definitely try them out!

The Peak in Vancouver plays amazing alternative music plus tons of Canadian bands which are new to me and I am finding I really love.

Got that? So let’s get into to today’s playlist which consists of some old and new tunes to get you in the mood to run, cycle and workout harder. Let’s go!

Big Blue Wave:Hey Ocean!

Hey Ocean! Is a Canadian band that released this fun, frothy tune last year. Love opening up with it in my classes.

Pump It: The Black Eyed Peas

One of my students asked me recently “who wrote that Pulp Fiction smash up song?” It took me a minute to figure out what she was talking about!

Come & Get It:Selena Gomez

I just lerve this song to pieces.

Breathing Underwater: Metric

I have said the before but I need to state again how much I regret not seeing this band when they played in New York last year. Will not make that same mistake again!

Rebellion: Arcade Fire

This is one of the best songs ever to climb to or make yourself work harder. It’s fantastic!

Rebel Yell: Billy Idol

OMG this is just the greatest song in the world. How does it get better than “in the midnight hour—she cried more, more, MORE!”

American Psyco: Treble Charger

Yet another Canadian band I was unaware of until The Peak!

Family Affair: Mary J. Blige

I am dedicating this one to my friend Stacy who introduced me to badass Mary J.

Spaceman: The Killers

I like to perform high intensity sprints to this song.

Simple Life:Elton John

This is one of Elton’s lesser known 90s tunes but I love it for long climbs and the lyrics are really inspiring.

Hell:Tegan and Sarah

Hell yeah, I say!

Walk on the Wild Side:Lou Reed

This is one of those pieces of culture that inspired me to move to New York. I spent my whole life in the boring ‘burbs and I was ready to indeed walk on the wild side. (RIP Lou Reed. This city will be much less interesting without you in it.)

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

Boo! Alright you ghosts and goblins—here is my Halloween-themed that I hope you enjoy. I avoided the clichéd stuff like Monster Mash or a “hit from hell” (Hangin’ Tough) and tried to find tunes that are spooky and interesting.

I hope you all have a great week and get tons of candy!

Don’t Fear the Reaper:Blue Oyster Cult

Such a great song and who couldn’t use more cowbell in their lives?

Disco Inferno: The Trammps

If only because I love the defiant way they spell their name.

Psycho Killer:Talking Heads

Everyone loves this song and it has an excellent, consistent beat.

Devil Inside: INXS

Remember how hot Michael Hutchence was?

Dead Man’s Party: Oingo Boigo

This song always reminds me of the Rodney Dangerfield classic Back to School.

Hell: Squirrel Nut Zippers

Back in the 90s there was a resurgence of swing music and this band did it pretty damn well.

Spooky: Dusty Springfield

A cool classic by a white lady from England who sounds like a Southern black chanteuse.

People Are Strange: The Doors

For some reason I have been meeting people lately who tell me they are not fans of The Doors. Just as with Bowie last week I say– “Well, you are just f***ing wrong!”

The Time Warp: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Of course.

Werewolves of London: Warren Zevon

Such a talented guy and he wrote so many great songs but he is mainly known for this one which I still think is pretty cool. (The actual werewolf in the video is hilarious by the way.)

Are you ready to rock? Do you need some power music to crank up your enthusiasm? Well then today’s list is for you. If nothing else, take the first track listed below and crank it up to 11 and go kick some ass out there!

Whole Lotta Love:Led Zeppelin

This is one of those songs that whenever I start a class with it more than one person will shout out “yes!” The mighty Zep will get your butt in gear.

Leopard Print Pill-Box Hot: Beck

Beck redid a Bob Dylan for a charity album and managed to make it even better than the original.

Radio Song:R.E.M.

OMG—I miss this band!

Can You Read My Mind: The Killers

My absolute favorite song from The Killers—it put me in the best mood whenever I hear it.

Bit by Bit: Mother Mother

Once again I am falling in love with an Indie Canadian rock band. This song kills when played at full volume!

Diamonds : Rhianna

“Shine bright like a diamond!”

Paralyzer: Finger Eleven

Do you know the origin of the band name (giggling like a 12 year-old right now…)

Came Bach Haunted: Nine Inch Nails

One of the best bands I have ever seen live—ever!

Empire State of Mind:Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Yes!

Ragdoll: Aerosmith

I think this is my favorite of the late 80s Aerosmith (hated the power ballads!)

Bohemian Like You:The Dandy Warhols

If you are not familiar with this band check out the 2004 film Dig—one of the best music documentaries I have ever seen.

Rock Steady: Frank Turner

One of my students recently asked “who is Aretha Franklin?” I made them download this song first.

Year of the Cat:Al Stewart

I love the light piano music in the beginning the then the build to big guitars.

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs. I am always looking for good tunes.

Today I am featuring a fun and frothy playlist to get you through the heat-filled days of August. It begins with THE song summer (IMHO) and ends with a Lindsey Buckingham tune that always makes me want to fall asleep on the beach somewhere under an umbrella without a care in the word.

Recently I found a playlist a colleague of mine left behind at the gym and found a plethora of new tunes that I needed to check out right away.

Sooooo—today’s list is a 50-minute interval ride with more flat roads at high speeds than heavy resistance climbing. It starts off with a remix of a mellow 70s songs that I love to death and finishes with a favorite “Babooey” tune. So let’s get to it!!

Ventura Highway(Deepsky’s Blizzard Remix):America

This song is a new favorite discovery for me. It’s just so light and sweet and makes me want to wear a poncho and sit by a campfire.

Rumble and Sway: Jamie N Commons

“Don’t you give me no truth I want all of your lies—whoo hoo!” (Tell me this doesn’t make your butt wiggle a bit!)

Short Skirt/Long Jacket:Cake

The video for this one always makes me smile.

Once in a Lifetime:Talking Heads

I usually play the live version because it rocks too freaking hard!

I Am One: The Smashing Pumpkins

Back in the day I would play this song at full volume tearing down the California highway. (Good times…)

Blurred Lines:Robin Thicke

Here comes the dirty video!!!

Lightning Bolt: Jake Bugg

No this is not Bob Dylan but rather a teenager from England–really!

Just Like a Pill:P!nk

Love, love, love this song to death.

Heroes:David Bowie

The second climb of the ride is a long, windy one and features this tune by one of my favorite artists of all time.

Snow (Hey Oh):Red Hot Chili Peppers

I know all of their songs sound the same but they also all sound good IMHO.

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark:Fall Out Boy

This has to be my favorite tune of the summer of 2013.

Helen Wheels:Paul McCartney & Wings

My favorite Beatle performs this (one more before we cool down) ditty. (Seriously, how cute is he?)

I have been looking for new tunes to try out in my classes and am rather happy with this playlist which mixes some newer releases with a couple of classics.

This is a 50-minute interval ride with several quick segments that will give a nice fat burn. Enjoy!

I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like):Michael Franti

I am calling this the song of summer for 2013. How much more joyful can a tune be, people?!

Mrs. Robinson: The Lemonheads

The lead singer (Evan Dando) was considered a big heartthrob in the 90s. (Oh the 90s—how I miss you!)

I Want To Take You Higher:Sly & the Family Stone

Sly Stone is famous for being something of a kook but his music totally kicks ass so who cares? (This particular clip is pretty damn amazing!)

Synthetica:Metric

I have been featuring them for weeks and for damn good reason—they write killer songs!

Radioactive: Imagine Dragons

There are only two climbs in this set and this is what we play for the first one.

Let Me Entertain You:Robbie Williams

OMG—I had the biggest crush ever on this guy. Swoon!

Wakeup Call: Maroon 5

This is my favorite song of theirs.

Blister in the Sun:Violent Femmes

I have my classes do some quick “out of the saddle” runs with this one.

You Get What You Give:New Radicals

This is just about one of my favorite songs of all time and think it is perfect for this time of year—with graduations coming up and all. (The second “climb” song by the way.)

Everlong:Foo Fighters

The fighters of foo are perfect for any spin class really.

Please Don’t Leave Me: Pink

This is the sweetest & saddest love song that is set to the happiest beat–ever. I had a student leave my room in tears recently because of the lyrics! True story.

City of Blinding Lights:U2

We do some long out of the saddle runs with this song and I think it is one the best U2 have written .

Take a Picture:Filter

The singer, Richard Patrick (whom I have a big crush on,) wrote this after getting in trouble for being drunk and naked on a plane. It was just before 9/11 so people used to have more fun in the skies!

So what do you think of my list? Remember to send me your favorite tunes in the comments below.